At least ten have died after Israeli forces clashed with Palestinian shooters in the West Bank city of Jenin on Thursday, with the victims including an older woman, said the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
The incident prompted the Palestinian Authority to suspend its security coordination with Israel. Initially, there were nine casualties, and the 10th victim was reported several hours later in what police called a "violent disturbance" near Jerusalem.
Israel and Palestine Tensions
Based on records, the latest casualties on Thursday made the incident the deadliest day for Palestinians in the West Bank in more than a year. The victims' deaths brought the number of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces just this year to 30, based on figures from the Palestinian Ministry of Health. The casualties include militants targeted in Israeli raids, individuals who attacked Israelis, and bystanders.
In response to the deaths, Israeli security forces said they were operating in Jenin to apprehend a "terror squad" belonging to the Islamic Jihad terror organization. The released statement noted that they were able to kill three "terrorists" during their operation on Thursday, as per CNN.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Israel Security Agency, and Border Police released a joint statement saying that the Islamic Jihad terror operatives were involved heavily in the execution and planning of multiple major terror attacks. These include the shooting attacks on IDF soldiers and Israeli civilians.
Officials added that during the so-called operation, security forces "neutralized" two armed suspects fleeing and a third neutralized at the scene. They noted that another suspect surrendered to the forces.
There were no reported injuries on the side of the IDF. However, they noted that they were aware of "claims regarding additional casualties during the exchange of fire" and were investigating the situation.
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Clash Between Forces
On the other hand, the Palestinian presidency called the attack of Israeli forces a "massacre" before the announcement of ending security cooperation with Israel. Recently, tensions in the West Bank have risen as Israeli military forces continue what they describe as an anti-terrorism offensive that started last year after a series of deadly attacks on Israel, according to BBC.
The Palestinian health ministry later identified three casualties as 61-year-old Magda Obaid, 24-year-old Saez Izreiqi, and 26-year-old Izzidin Salahat. The ministry added that 20 other people were wounded due to the violent confrontation.
The house that the IDF said was housing Jihad terrorists could still be smoldering following the clash. The outer walls on the ground floor of the building were reduced to rubble. Tops and a sink in a bathroom were also left exposed. On the other hand, the upper floor was pocked with bullet holes while the stairwell could be seen with a pool of blood.
The IDF troops used shoulder-launched missiles and other explosives against the alleged hideout in a tactic known as a "pressure cooker." It is an attempt to flush out the wanted men and bring them out into the open, said the Times of Israel.
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